爱

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 我爱你。▶ —
   I love you.
2. 我爱吃中国菜。▶ —
   I love Chinese food.

Collocations

Mnemonic

爱 ài "to love" — simplified from 愛. The traditional form had 心 "heart" at center; simplified replaced it with 友 "friend". Stronger than 喜欢 "to like" — used for romantic, parental, deep love.

Quick check

1. What does 我爱吃 mean?

   • I love eating (idiomatically: "really like to eat")
   • love-eating
   • eat because of love
   • love eating (literal-only)